Horsham’s premier business event Microbiz returns ‘packed with energy and camaraderie’

Microbiz, organised by Horsham District Council and held in Denne Road’s Drill Hall, celebrated its twelfth year with 42 exhibitors from a range of sectors offering information about their products and services, advice, and networking opportunities.

The annual event, which included nine free seminars offering tips on subjects such as tax and VAT, customer service, and marketing and PR, has proved popular with the large amount of small and start-up businesses that operate in the area.

John Peel, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership Coast To Capital, opened the event again and had plenty to say about his ‘favourite Saturday of the year’. He said he continues to support Microbiz because of its success and the support it has provided for hundreds of small businesses over the years.

Roger Paterson (Con, Pulborough and Coldwaltham), HDC’s cabinet member for the local economy, came up with the idea originally to hold an event for small businesses in the Horsham district.

He said: “From the meeting and greeting, the communications, the presentation and handling of seminars, to the care and detail in setting up the stands and decorations, the whole fair was very successful and, judging by comments during the day, greatly valued and appreciated by exhibitors and visitors alike.

“This was a high quality community event with an extremely positive atmosphere.”

Bestselling author and marketing expert, Dee Blick, who has supported the event for many years and presented two seminars this year, tweeted: “Fantastic event. My seminars were packed, met some truly lovely people. [The Microbiz events] just get better each year. Can I come back next year please?”

The feedback from exhibitors and visitors echoed Dee’s thoughts with comments on the event’s surveys ranging from ‘a vibrant and thriving business event’ to ‘a fantastic event that has given me a lot more confidence in starting my own business – I can’t believe it was free’.

One visitor captured the feelings of many by saying: ‘I enjoyed the energy and camaraderie which pervaded the hall and left with even more confidence. This is a good place to settle’.

For more information about Microbiz, to view more photos of this year’s event or to register an interest for next year’s event visit the website: www.horshammicrobiz.co.uk